I think she can. Statistically I think the French is Serena's worst slam (does she only have one singles title at Roland Garros?) The potential is there for a Serena upset and for Sharapova to retain her title.

Sure, I don't see why Sharapova can't win the FO this year. If Serena loses earlier and Sharapova does not have to play Serena, Sharapova could easily win it. Even though Sharapova is a better clay court player than Serena is now, if they happen to meet in the final, I think Serena will beat her because of the match-up/mental issue. So Serena has to lose earlier imo for Sharapova to take the title.

Well, maybe. Depends of the draw and how the things uncoil. If she happens to meet a greedy Azarenka or S. Williams, it's not happening IMO. Maybe if Azarenka happens to meet S. Williams, wins and is tired and then Sharapova just grab the leftovers.

Sure she can. Will she, probably not. As I said in another thread the womens French Open is a total crapshoot these days. There is no one specific player who has more than 20% shot to win probably. However she is probably one of only about 4 women with a 10% chance or better.

However as others have noted Serena must lose before they play for her to have any chance. Sharapova and Serena play there is only one possible outcome, especialy in a slam, and it doesnt matter where or when it is. The good news for her is it looks like they will be the 1st and 2nd seeds and cant meet until the final, increasing the likelihood they wont even play as one or both might well lose before then.

I am watching him against Li right now and he is playing the best I have seen her play in quite some time.

When you ask the question you just look at her opponents, there is simply no one who can stop her, unless she gets into one of these streaks of bad serving days or injury she she should be able to defend her title.
She just beat Li convincingly and she is no joke on clay. She is my favorite to win it.

Slim chance. Serena has her number, so does Azarenka. She will need some major help from the field to knock one or both out.

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Serana and Vika don't like the clay and could get knocked out before the semi's. I also think she can beat Vika on the dirt. If she doesn't have to play Serena in the final, I think she has a decent chance of repeating.

Maria Sharapova just defended her Porsche Grand Prix title said no one ever. What has gotten under Maria's skivvies that she is defending...(gasp)...clay court tennis tournaments?

It is possible that Maria could hold two French Open titles before winning two of any other grand slam title. I find that remarkable for a player of Maria's playing style.

Given Maria's recent good fortune on clay, (some say her most difficult surface to play and win on) is this the first time we've seen a WTA grand slam champion emerge from clay court exile to stake an historical claim on this surface?

Maria's record at grand slam events:

Australian Open 39–9 (81%)
French Open 37–9 (80%)
Wimbledon 37–9 (80%)
US Open 29–8 (78%)

She is remarkably consistent on all surfaces in the grand slam events according to her record. Is anyone else surprised by this statistic, because I always thought the French Championship was Maria's cryptonite historically.

Maria Sharapova just defended her Porsche Grand Prix title said no one ever. What has gotten under Maria's skivvies that she is defending...(gasp)...clay court tennis tournaments?

It is possible that Maria could hold two French Open titles before winning two of any other grand slam title. I find that remarkable for a player of Maria's playing style.

Given Maria's recent good fortune on clay, (some say her most difficult surface to play and win on) is this the first time we've seen a WTA grand slam champion emerge from clay court exile to stake an historical claim on this surface?

Maria's record at grand slam events:

Australian Open 39–9 (81%)
French Open 37–9 (80%)
Wimbledon 37–9 (80%)
US Open 29–8 (78%)

She is remarkably consistent on all surfaces in the grand slam events according to her record. Is anyone else surprised by this statistic, because I always thought the French Championship was Maria's cryptonite historically.

AngieB

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She has been undefeated on red clay, I believe, since the 2011 semi against Li Na ... I remember that being a fairly windy day that screwed up her serving. She likely would have won the title had she gotten past Li.

Before that, her results at the French were decent, I think: 1 semi, 3 quarters and she hadn't lost before the fourth round since 2003 except at her comeback tournament in a three-setter against Henin (no slouch on clay) in the third round.

She's won back-to-back Stuttgarts, back-to-back Romes. Obviously we need to see what happens in Madrid (back on red clay) and this year's Rome, but I'd say she's still the favorite. With Serena likely on the other side of the draw from her, there's plenty of opportunity for her to be knocked out. And I think she can take Azarenka on clay.